Kansas City’s no-parking signs are slow to appear on 31st Street

The problem

Last fall, Kansas City officials assured Thomas McKittrick that they would restore signs that had prohibited parking during the evening rush hour on eastbound 31st Street in the area popularly known as Martini Corner.

In March, McKittrick wrote the Watchdog again, wondering when the signs would go up. Given the long winter that had frozen his bones in the ground, the handsome hound decided to cut the city some slack.

But late last month, McKittrick reported the signs still hadn’t been changed along the stretch around Oak Street.

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“As I stated earlier, this creates a terrible backup at least 2-3 times per week during the evening rush hour,” he said.

The answer

A staff reduction delayed this project, but Kansas City Public Works spokesman Sean Demory said the work is in the pipeline and should be done soon.

Specifically, the signs will ban weekday parking during both rush hours — from 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. — between McGee Street and Gillham Plaza.

The Watchdog is feeling a strong tug toward Martini Corner right now, but he wouldn’t dare indulge on company time.

Do you have a problem or a question about a public issue? Write to the Watchdog, The Kansas City Star, Newsroom, 1729 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108, or send email to watchdog@kcstar.com. Include your name, phone number and city of residence.